Childcare, identified as a high need priority in the Vision 2020 plan as vital to bringing new families to Jefferson and Greene County, will receive a boost with a new, expanded childcare center on the horizon for the not-for-profit Greene County Early Learning Center (GCELC) in Jefferson.
“It is imperative that we move forward to provide additional childcare for our area,” said GCELC board co-president Jacque Andrew.
“The need for access to quality, available and affordable childcare is no longer solely a parent issue. It’s an economic issue, a workforce issue and an infrastructure issue. This is an opportunity to attract and retain workforce and to grow our community and county,” said Bill Monroe, GCELC board co-president.
Since 2005, the center has served children and families in the area with its mission to provide quality care in a learning environment. Currently the center is licensed for 94 children and consistently has a list of families seeking future care.
“Providing the highest quality care for children is the most important priority of GCELC,” said GCELC director Cherie Cerveny. GCELC is the only Greene County center holding an Iowa’s Quality Rating System (QRS) star rating. The center currently holds a 3-star rating and has applied for a 4-star rating, with 5 stars being the highest. QRS is a voluntary child care rating system for DHS-licensed centers and preschools, Department of Education program, and child development homes as part of Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral.
To aid in the deliberations for future needs of the center, GCELC engaged First Children’s Finance (FCF), a non-profit research group, to provide demographic data and growth projections for Greene County. The research group provided financing, training and business-development assistance to childcare businesses throughout the Midwest.
The FCF report was shared with local business leaders and representatives of public entities in April 2017. Projections from FCF included a potential for more than 100 additional children to be served with population growth and/or shifts in community/employment patterns. The GCELC business plan is to be licensed to accommodate an additional 50 children in the new building.
For many years the center has been located in the current Greene County Schools administration building on W. Madison St. The building was constructed in the 1950s as an elementary school with block and brick construction. It is the intent of the Greene County Schools board to make the building and part of the city block available to the GCELC when the school’s administrative operations move to new locations as a result of the new school buildings and remodeling.
The board of the GCELC sought professional opinions from two engineering firms that estimated the probable cost to inherit and renovate the existing building. Those costs came in more than expected for minimal upgrades and addressing any new code requirements that may need to be met. In addition, it would be necessary to relocate the services of the GCELC during the remodeling process. It would not be an easy task to meet the childcare space requirements in temporary locations requiring improvements to meet DHS requirements. “After reviewing the strengths and challenges of new construction versus renovating the school building, the decision was made to construct a new facility,” Cerveny said.
“To ensure the most efficient use of space and ongoing annual expenses, the GCELC board made a decision to proceed with building plans and engaged Benjamin Designs Cooperative Inc of Ames, an architectural firm, to being the planning process for design,” Andrew said.
A number of conceptual and preliminary drawings have been prepared for review by the board and the project building committee which also includes members from the community, parents using the center, school board, city of Jefferson officials, and others in addition to the board.
Parents of children at the center have been notified of the plans moving forward and current GCELC staff has been engaged in fine-tuning plans and making suggestions for consideration. A total building security system will be included similar to the room-specific security now in place at GCELC.
As a cost measure, a wood structure has been selected for the 12,800-plus square-foot building and a “hardened” room is included in the plan for safety during severe storms. The building will be located in a north-south orientation on the east side of the block facing east, with its entrance on S. Vine St.
During construction, the current building will continue to be used for the childcare center with no disruption or relocation in service. “We are grateful for the generosity of the Greene County school district for its partnership for many years,” Cerveny said. “Being able to continue in the current location during construction is an incredible advantage for the children and families we serve.”
Following construction, the current building will be demolished to make way for the center’s playground and other green space on the block.
Construction would take about one year to complete but the bid process will not begin until adequate funding is secured. “Although the new center is a vital economic and community development tool, we need to act with fiscal responsibility as we approach the process,” Andrew said.
The board has begun discussions with various funding entities and applied for several grants with applications in process for others. With a total cost of about $2.9 million, funding for this non-profit entity project will need to be acquired from a number of sources including grants, public entities, private businesses and individuals. No bond issue would be applicable as the center is a non-for-profit entity.
“With the importance of high quality, ample, safe and affordable childcare to our community, its families and businesses, we are anticipating substantial support for the project,” said Cerveny. “We appreciate the work of many previous board members, organizations, businesses and interested citizens who have provided support for the center in the past and helped us with this process. Now we are inviting additional members of the community who would like to help us make this new non-profit facility possible. Please contact me at the center, 515-386-2092, or gcelc@greenecountycsd.net. Donations are welcome and may be sent to GCELC at 204 W. Madison St, Jefferson, IA 50129. A fundraising campaign will get underway early next year.”
